Contentment with modest wealth

Chapter 68 We can't let our official hat fall off.
Early in the morning, Imperial Physician Sheng was urgently summoned to the Grand Commandant's residence by Song En, a staff member of the Grand Commandant's office.

The sound of horses' hooves carrying a doctor echoed through the streets and alleys. Early risers opened their doors, then closed them again, as if it were nothing out of the ordinary.

The eldest son of the Grand Commandant's family has been sickly since childhood. Everyone knows that he spends five or six months of the year in a medicine pot, and seeking medical advice and treatment is nothing new for him.

However, this year this delicate young master seems to have encountered more misfortunes than usual. Before autumn even arrived, he had already fallen ill.

Indeed, nothing in this world is perfect. It is truly a pity that the eldest son, who is the heir to the Grand Commandant, is so unfortunate, given the immense wealth and power of the Shen family.

While rumors were swirling in the capital, Shen Qingzhou was already halfway south.

After entering Hubei province, the cumulus clouds in the sky pressed down heavily on our heads like a thick blanket.

Throughout the summer, torrential rains struck the two lakes region one after another, causing the water level of Dongting Lake to rise continuously. Traveling south, one encounters bustling markets, towns densely packed with rice paddies and houses, as well as soldiers and officers struggling to prevent and control floods, and soup kitchens overflowing with people.

The 20-day trip was reduced to half a month.

Shen Qingzhou inevitably got caught in the rain halfway through his journey. While stopping to eat and take medicine by Dongting Lake, he calculated the distance and sent his guards away: "Go ahead to Shawan and tell Guo Yi to keep an eye on Zhou Sheng until I return."

Tanzhou Prefecture receives ample rainfall because it is closest to the south.

There had been a heavy rainstorm in mid-July, and now, as August approaches, another heavy rainstorm is on its way.

Under the deep darkness of night, the rain pounded against the banana leaves in the corner of the courtyard, and the raindrops under the eaves turned into fine silver ribbons under the lanterns.

The night traveler pushed open the side gate of the Zhou residence, took off his raincoat and straw hat, asked the steward who came to greet him, and then hurriedly entered the second courtyard.

Inside the window behind the banana tree, Zhou Sheng sat at his desk, furrowing his brow as he read a letter.

"My lord!" The man entered the room and bowed at the back. "We have found out that since Guo Yi came to Tanzhou, all his actions have been within the scope of this mission. He has never left our sight, nor has he approached anyone outside the list we gave him. All his steps have been strictly in accordance with the regulations given by the Cabinet."

Zhou Sheng raised his head, revealing a deep and serious expression. "If there was no overstepping of the bounds, then why did someone investigate the Su family? And why are people in the capital inquiring about the Su family and Minister Liu?"

The visitor frowned: "I am incompetent. I have been investigating for almost half a month, but I have not found any evidence against Guo Yi. Although the Guo family is a family of upright officials, they have never opposed the Grand Secretary's Mansion before and have always behaved themselves. Moreover, Guo Yi was recommended by Minister Lu, so there should be no problem with him."

“But there is indeed a problem in Shawan.” Zhou Sheng pushed the unmarked letter in front of him. “It is said in the capital that someone was watching the Vice Minister a while ago, and there is also someone investigating Su Mingxing’s uncle, Su Yu!”

"Although the Vice Minister did not elaborate on what he said, he reminded me to act carefully. At present, the only thing that can connect me, the Su family, and the Liu family is the Shawan Rice Market. If it's not a problem with Guo Yi, then what else could it be?!"

Upon reading the contents of the letter, the visitor was speechless for a moment.

Zhou Sheng paced around twice before finally stopping: "His Majesty was already dissatisfied with Grand Secretary Yan because of the resistance against the enemy. Since the Shen family's triumphant return, some people in the court who were originally neutral have begun to waver. If the Yan family falls, a large number of people across the country will die!"

The newcomer looked up and said, "Since the Shen family was granted the title, it has never been an enemy of the Yan family. Although Grand Commandant Shen has now sided with the Emperor, how can the Shen family's foundation be compared with that of the Yan family?"

"Grand Secretary Yan's disciples are all over the country, and the Shen family's strength is far inferior. Perhaps they are also wary of him. Besides, didn't His Majesty personally issue an edict at the beginning of the year to hold a birthday banquet for Grand Secretary Yan?"

"Do you understand, or do the people of the Yan family understand?" Zhou Sheng tapped his fingers heavily on the table. "No one in the world understands the Emperor's thoughts better than Lord Yan. If he were truly that reliable, would the Grand Secretary have needed to order the rectification of river transport?!"

The newcomer immediately fell silent. Zhou Sheng frowned and stood there for a moment, then suddenly walked back to the window, looking at the torrential rain pouring down in the darkness: "No matter what, Shawan absolutely cannot have any problems! River transport involves so many prefectures and counties. If it's ruined in my hands, not only will I lose my official position, but my whole family will probably be ruined!"

The man hurriedly replied, "Your subordinate will obey your orders, sir!"

Zhou Sheng said meaningfully, "After so much rain, the water level upstream must be full by now, right?"

……

On the bluestone road after a long rain, the wind blows and the night is sparse, with only the boats on the river shining brightly.

"Sister, take a look at this month's accounts." As Lu Jia frowned at the rain, Xie Yi came to her with the account book.

The young man is almost thirteen years old and is already much taller than Lu Jia.

In the past six months, besides growing taller, he has also improved his skills. Lu Jia handed over two shops to him, and with the help of several experienced managers and accountants, he has at least been able to make a living, and the accounts look decent.

"Once the weather clears up, it will be almost harvest time. You can go out with the second manager to collect grain and check the market situation."

Lu Jia was originally a novice in the business world, but she quickly entered the field by relying on the financial management skills she learned from the Yan family in her previous life, as well as the guidance from Liu Xiyu and Madam He.

She didn't have high expectations for Xie Yi. She didn't expect him to become an official or to expand his business. She just wanted him to live a peaceful and comfortable life with a modest income, take good care of Qiu Niang until she grew old, and uphold the reputation of the Xie family. As someone who had received ten years of nurturing from the Xie family, she would be content.

But ever since he seized the Zhang family's property, this kid has changed dramatically. Not only does he diligently study at the old scholar's place every day, but he also keeps up with the shop's affairs.

In less than two months, he was not only able to do the accounting independently, but also became familiar with all the affairs of the shop. This made Lu Jia feel that this kid still had potential.

"I understand!" Xie Yi took the notebook and asked, "Why do you look so preoccupied?"

Lu Jia sighed, "I don't know what's wrong, but my eyelids have been twitching all day. I wonder if something bad is going to happen."

"Hey!" Xie Yi said, "Uncle Li already calculated your fortune a couple of days ago. You're going to have great luck! From now on, you'll always turn bad luck into good!"

"That would be wonderful!"

Lu Jia muttered.

Then, he lazily picked up an umbrella from the corner and called He Qu and the others to go home together.

Just as I opened my umbrella, a man ran towards me through the heavy rain: "Girl, our granary is flooded. We need to send a few people over to drain the water!"

He's a warehouse worker.

Lu Jia turned around and called out to a few people.

He paused after thinking for a moment: "Wasn't it reinforced a few days ago? How come it's flooded again?"

(End of this chapter)